Safety drum with lid assembly

ABSTRACT

The drum assembly comprises a drum and a lid assembly removably mounted to the drum. The drum can include a rim defining an opening for access to an interior storage area of the drum. The lid assembly can include a band for mounting the lid assembly to the drum, a cover pivotally mounted to the band via a hinge, and a rotary latch mechanism for securing the cover in a closed position. The cover is movable between the closed position wherein the lid covers the opening and an open position in which the lid is pivoted away from the opening to allow access to the interior storage area. The rotary latch mechanism can include a retention bar mounted to one of the band and the cover and a rotary latch mounted to the other of the band and the cover. The rotary latch is configured to receive the retention bar when the cover is closed to thereby secure the cover closed over the opening of the drum. The latch includes a trigger that is moveable between a locked position in which the latch is locked and a released position in which the latch is unlocked.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to drums, and more particularlyto a drum with a lid and a rotary latch.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Drums with lids have been used for many years. A typical drum with a lidhas operated in two states, attached to the rim of the drum or fullyremoved from the drum. The lids are therefore often lost or not readilyat hand when the user wishes to close the drum. Accordingly, utilizingdrums with such lids can be a time-consuming activity for a user. Thelid can not be opened and securely closed quickly.

Another limitation of previous drum covers is their failure to complywith particular federal regulations involving emissions of volatileorganic compounds (VOCs). Specifically, drums used in the U.S. aerospaceindustry are required to comply with 60 Fed. Reg. 45956, which setslimits for VOCs from chemical solvents and waste produced in aerospacefacilities.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The drum assembly can comprise a drum and a lid assembly removablymounted thereto. The drum can include a generally cylindrical sidewalland a rim defining an opening accessible to an internal storage area.The lid assembly can include a band encircling the sidewall of the drumto mount the lid assembly to the drum, a cover pivotally mounted to theband via a hinge. The lid is movable between a first position whereinthe lid covers the opening of the drum and a second position wherein thecover is pivoted away from the opening to allow access to the internalstorage area of the drum. The lid assembly can include a latch mechanismto secure the cover relative to the band. The latch mechanism caninclude a retention bar mounted to the band and a rotary latch attachedto the cover. The rotary latch is configured to receive the retentionbar when the cover is closed to thereby secure the cover closed over theopening of the drum. The rotary latch can include a trigger that ismoveable between a locked position in which the latch is locked and areleased position in which the latch is unlocked.

In another embodiment, a lid assembly for a drum can include a bandconfigured to wrap around an external surface of a sidewall of a drumproximate an opening of the drum through which an internal storage areais accessible. A cover is provided that can be pivotally attached to theband via a hinge. The lid is movable between a first position whereinthe lid covers the opening of the drum and a second position wherein thecover is pivoted away from the opening to allow access to the internalstorage area of the drum. The lid assembly can include a latch mechanismto secure the cover relative to the band. The latch mechanism caninclude a retention bar mounted to the band and a rotary latch attachedto the cover. The rotary latch is configured to receive the retentionbar when the cover is closed to thereby secure the cover closed over theopening of the drum. The rotary latch can include a trigger that ismoveable between a locked position in which the latch is locked and areleased position in which the latch is unlocked.

In yet another embodiment, the cover can have a gasket disposed around aperimeter of an inner surface of the cover. The gasket can be configuredto compressibly engage the rim of the drum to form a seal therebetweento thereby substantially prevent vapor release from the drum. A pressurerelief valve can be provided in the cover to allow pressure buildup inthe drum to be released once the pressure reaches a predetermined levelat a predetermined temperature.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of a drum assemblyaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the drum assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of drum assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is front elevational view of the drum assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view of the drum assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the drum assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the drum assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view of the drum assembly of FIG. 1,illustrating a lid assembly mounted to a drum thereof with a coverthereof being in an intermediate open position.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary side elevation view of the drum of FIG. 1, withthe cover in a fully open position.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary front elevation view of the drum of FIG. 1,with the cover in the fully open position shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary view as in FIG. 10 with the cover in anintermediate position between the fully open position and a closedposition.

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the drum assembly ofFIG. 1 with the cover in the intermediate position shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary view as in FIG. 10 with the cover in the closedposition and a latch in a locked position.

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the drum assembly ofFIG. 1 with the cover and the latch in the positions shown in FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary view as in FIG. 10 with the cover in the closedposition and the latch in a released position.

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the drum assembly ofFIG. 1 with the cover and the latch in the positions shown in FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 18-18 of FIG. 13.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 19-19 of FIG. 15.

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 20-20 of FIG. 17.

FIG. 21 is an enlarged, detail view taken from FIG. 18.

FIG. 22 is an enlarged, detail view taken from FIG. 19.

FIG. 23 is an enlarged, detail view taken from FIG. 20.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a pressure releasevalve suitable for use with the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a view, in section, of the pressure relief valve of FIG. 23mounted in the cover of the drum assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 26 is a rear elevational view of a lid assembly of the drumassembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 27 is a top plan view of the lid assembly of FIG. 26 with a lid andan upper piece of a hinge removed for illustrative purposes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, an embodiment of a drum assembly 100 according tothe present invention can include a drum 102 and a lid assembly 120removably mounted to the drum 102 to selectively cover the drum. In someembodiments, the lid assembly can be locked in a closed position. Insome embodiments, the lid assembly 120 can substantially prevent vaporfrom releasing from the drum 102 when the lid assembly 120 is in theclosed position.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the drum 102 can be generally cylindrical.The drum 102 can include a sidewall 103, the sidewall having a rim 104which defines an opening 106 (see FIG. 9 also) through which an interiorstorage area 107 (FIG. 8) is accessible, and a bottom 108. Referring toFIG. 3, the rim 104 of the drum 102 can project from an external surfaceof the sidewall 103 of the drum 102 to create an annular upper rib 110.The drum 102 can include an annular lower rib 112 disposed below the rim104 with a channel 114 defined between the upper rib 110 and the lowerrib 112 on the outside surface of the drum sidewall 103. The drum 102can be made of steel. The drum can be any suitable size. In someembodiments, the drum can be a 30-gallon capacity drum or a 55-galloncapacity drum, for example. A 55-gallon drum commercially available fromJustrite Manufacturing Co. LLC of DesPlaines, Ill. as model number 26054is particularly suitable for use with the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, the lid assembly 120 can include a band 122 toremovably mount the lid assembly 120 to the drum 102 and a cover 126 toselectively close the drum 102. The cover 126 can be pivotally mountedto the band 122 via a hinge 124. A rotary latch mechanism 128 can beprovided to retain the cover 126 in a closed position such that thecover 126 is constrained from moving relative to the band 122.

Referring to FIG. 3, the band 122 can encircle the outside surface 103of the drum 102. The band 122 can be disposed within the channel 114between the upper and lower ribs 110, 112 of the sidewall 103. The band122 can include a handle piece 156 mounted thereto. The handle 156 is agenerally U-shaped piece that can be configured to allow a user toconveniently grip the handle 156 to facilitate transport of the drum. Inaddition, the handle 156 can be used as a stop to limit the pivotalmovement of the cover 126. The handle 156 defines the fully openposition of the cover 126, as shown in FIG. 10, and can be angled upwardas it extends from the perimeter of the band 122 for that purpose. Thehandle piece 156 can be mounted to the hinge 124.

Referring to FIG. 2, the band 122 can be a split ring band that includesa gap 184 defined by a pair of tabs 186, 188. The tabs 186, 188 of thesplit ring band 122 are joined across the gap 184 by a nut 190 and ascrew 192. The nut 190 and the screw 192, which can be threadedlyengaged by operation of a screwdriver and a wrench, for example, areconfigured to adjust the size of the gap 184, and thereby thecircumference of the band 122. A washer can also be interposed betweenthe nut 190 and the tab 188 to enhance the connection between the tabs186, 188. Accordingly, the band 122 can be tightened around the drum 102in order to secure the lid assembly 120 to the drum 102. Likewise, theband 122 can be loosened to remove the lid assembly 120 from the drum102. The removable nature of the lid assembly 120 permits a user toattach the lid assembly 120 to different drums and account forvariations in drum size. The lid assembly 120 can also be used withdifferent drums having a wide variety of rims.

Referring to FIG. 8, the cover 126 can include an outer surface 130 andan inner surface 132 (FIG. 8). The cover 126 can be sized tosubstantially correspond with the opening 106 of the drum 102. The cover126 is pivotally movable between a first position, as shown in FIG. 8,wherein the cover 126 is in a closed position such that it covers theopening 106 of the drum 102 and a second position, as shown in FIG. 10,wherein the cover 126 is in a fully-opened position such that theopening 106 of the drum 102 is accessible for ready disposal of items inthe drum 102.

Referring to FIG. 8, the cover 126 can include an annular gasket 180disposed on the lower surface 132 of the cover 126 proximate an outeredge 182 of the cover 126. When the cover is in the closed position, thegasket 180 can be aligned with the rim 104 of the drum 102 such that thegasket 180 is disposed between the cover 126 and the rim 104. The gasket180 can create a seal between the drum 102 and the cover 126 when thecover 126 is closed and the latch mechanism 128 is locked.

The gasket 180 can be made from any suitable material, such as amaterial that is compressible relative to the rim of the drum. In someembodiments the gasket can be made from rubber while the lid assembly120 and the drum 102 can be steel. In yet other embodiments, the gasketcan be L-200 charcoal Minicel, die cut with slm-360 pressure-sensitiveadhesive having mylar on one side. The gasket can be secured to thecover via the pressure-sensitive adhesive, for example. Accordingly, thegasket 180 can be deformed between the cover 126 and drum 102 to createa particularly effective seal. Because the cover 126 is secured to thedrum 102 by a press fit via the gasket 180, the cover 126 can securelyclose on any rim that the gasket 180 can be pressed against to create aseal. Accordingly, the lid assembly 120 is extremely versatile.

When the drum assembly 102 is used in an aerospace facility to containchemical solvents and waste products, a seal created between the lidassembly 102 and the drum 102 by the gasket 180 can allow the drumassembly to meet the requirements set by 60 Fed. Reg. 45956 in regardsto VOCs emissions. The gasket 180 can form a seal between the cover 126and the drum 102 that substantially prevents vapor from being releasedfrom the interior storage area of the drum 102.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 24, the drum assembly 100 can include apressure relief valve 240 configured to open when the pressure insidethe closed drum assembly 100 reaches a predetermined pressure and toclose when the pressure inside the closed drum assembly 100 falls belowthe predetermined pressure. Referring to FIG. 25, the pressure reliefvalve 240 is disposed within an opening 242 in the cover 126 thatextends from the outer surface 130 to the inner surface 132 thereof.When the pressure inside the closed drum assembly 100 reaches thepredetermined pressure, between 3 and 5 psi, for example, a valvechannel 244 in the valve 240 will be forced open such that thepressurized gases inside the drum can be released through the channel244 to reduce the pressure inside the drum assembly 100. When thepressure falls below the predetermined pressure, the valve channel 244can close.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 5, the hinge 124 includes an upper portion 150and a lower piece 152 which are pivotally mounted to each other via ahinge pin 154 and a cotter pin 158. The upper portion 150 is mounted tothe cover 126 while the lower piece 152 is mounted to the band 122.Referring to FIG. 6, both the upper portion 150 and the lower piece 152include hollow knuckles 160, 162 which alternatingly align with eachother to define a hinge pin channel 168 in which the hinge pin 154 isdisposed. The upper portion 150 and the lower piece 152 of the hinge 124can pivot with respect to each other along a longitudinal axis 164defined by the hinge pin 154. Referring to FIG. 5, the hinge pin 154includes a first distal end 170 that is bent at a right angle and asecond distal end 172 with a through hole that receives the cotter pin158. The bent portion 174 of the first distal end 170 and the cotter pin158 are located on opposite sides of the hinge pin channel 168 such thatthe hinge pin 154 is retained within the hinge pin channel 168.

Once the cotter pin 158 is removed from the hinge pin 154, the hinge pin154 can be pulled out of the hinge pin channel 168 by pulling the firstdistal end 170 away from the hinge plates such that the second distalend 172 travels through the channel 168. Once the hinge pin 154 isremoved, the upper portion 150 and the lower piece 152 of the hinge 124can disengage.

Referring to FIG. 1, the rotary latch mechanism 128 can include a rotarylatch 140 and a retention bar 142 for latching the drum 102 closed. Therotary latch 140 can be mounted to the cover 126 via a latch mounting202. The retention bar 142 can be mounted to a flange extending from theband 122. In some embodiments, the rotary latch mechanism 128 can be,for example, a rotary latch commercially available from Southco®, Inc.of Concordville, Pa., and marketed as the R4 Mini Rotary Latch.

Referring to FIG. 9, the rotary latch 140 can be disposed at the front194 of the cover 126 opposite the hinge 124. The retention bar 142 canbe mounted to a flange 197 extending from the band 122 at the front 196of the drum assembly 100. The retention bar 140 can be aligned with anaxis 198 of movement of the rotary latch 140, as shown in FIG. 11. Therotary latch 140 is configured to receive the retention bar 142 when thecover 126 is closed to thereby secure the cover 126 closed over theopening 106, as shown in FIG. 15. The latch 140 can include a trigger200 that is moveable between a locked position, as shown in FIG. 14, inwhich the latch 140 is locked and a released position in which the latch140 is unlocked, as shown in FIG. 16. When the trigger 200 is in thelocked position, the cover 126 is prevented from opening by theengagement between the rotary latch 140 and the retention bar 142, asshown in FIG. 19.

Referring to FIG. 9, the latch mounting 202 can include a top wall 204,a first sidewall 206, and a second sidewall 208. The top wall 204 of thelatch mounting 202 can be attached the outer surface 130 of the cover126 and extend past the edge 182 of the cover 126. The first and secondsidewalls 206, 208 can be in spaced relationship to each other anddepend from the top wall 204 such that they extend below the cover 126.The walls 202, 204, 206 of the latch mounting 202 form a protectivehousing within which the rotary latch 140 is disposed. The latchmounting 202 protects the latch 140 from impact by foreign objects thatcould damage the latch or unintentionally unlock the latch 140. Therotary latch 140 can be mounted to the inside surface 212 of firstsidewall 206 such that the latch 140 is disposed below the cover 126 andexterior to the outer edge 182 of the cover 126. Referring to FIG. 8,the configuration of the latch mounting 202 can help facilitate theproper positioning of the rotary latch 140 to retentively receive theretention bar 142 when the cover 126 is closed.

Referring to FIG. 21, the cover 126 is in an intermediate positionbetween the closed position and the fully open position. The latch 140is located generally above the retention bar 142 and the trigger 200 isin the open position. The rotary latch 140 includes the rotatabletrigger 200, a pivotally movable cam 220, and a spring 222 that aredisposed within a housing 224. The spring 222 can be operably arrangedwith the trigger 200 and the cam 220 to bias them toward a readyposition, as shown in FIG. 21. The housing 224 can be mounted to theinside surface 212 of first sidewall 206 of the latch mounting 202 viafirst and second bolts 226, 228, as shown in FIG. 9. Referring back toFIG. 21, when the cover 126 and the latch 140 are open, the cam 220 isin the ready position in which a slot 230 of the cam 220 is open to thearea below the latch 140 such that the slot 230 can accept the retentionbar 42 therein once the cover is closed.

Referring to FIG. 22, the cover 126 is in the closed position. Theretention bar 142 is disposed within the slot 230 of the cam 220. Thecam 220 has rotated up into the housing 224 of the latch 140 from itsready position to a locked position. The retention bar 142 is therebytrapped inside the rotary latch 140. When the cam 220 is rotated to itslocked position, the spring 222 is activated, which in turn urges thetrigger into its locked position. When the trigger 200 and the cam 220are in their locked positions, a respective cam surface 235, 237 of thetrigger 200 and the cam 220 are in abutting engagement with each othersuch that the cam 220 is prevented from rotating from its lockedposition toward the ready position. The retention bar 142 is therebyretained within the rotary latch 140 to prevent the cover 126 frommoving from the closed position. The cover 126 is now locked closed overthe drum opening 106. When the rotary latch 140 is locked, the gasket180 can be compressed between the cover 126 and the rim 104 of the drum102 to form a seal therebetween. The cover 126 cannot be opened untilthe trigger 200 is moved to the released position.

Referring to FIG. 23, the cover 126 is in the closed position, and thetrigger 200 is in the released position. When the trigger 200 is movedto the released position, the trigger 200 disengages from the cam 220.The cover 126 can be moved from the closed position toward the fullyopen position by applying sufficient lifting force to move the cover126. Once the cover moves a sufficient amount, the cam will begin torotate toward its ready position with the spring 222 urging the camthereto such that the rotary latch can move relative to the retentionbar 142 and return to the position shown in FIG. 21. The cover 126 canclosed and opened repeatedly in this fashion.

All references, including publications, patent applications, andpatents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the sameextent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicatedto be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entiretyherein.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in thecontext of describing the invention (especially in the context of thefollowing claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and theplural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted bycontext. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing”are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, butnot limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of valuesherein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referringindividually to each separate value falling within the range, unlessotherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated intothe specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methodsdescribed herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwiseindicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The useof any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”)provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the inventionand does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unlessotherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construedas indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice ofthe invention.

Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, includingthe best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention.Variations of those preferred embodiments can become apparent to thoseof ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. Theinventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations asappropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practicedotherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, thisinvention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subjectmatter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicablelaw. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in allpossible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unlessotherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

1. A drum assembly comprising; a drum, the drum including a sidewall anda bottom, the sidewall with a rim defining an opening to an interiorstorage area; a band removably mounted to the drum; a lid movablyattached to the band, the lid being movable between a closed positionwherein the lid covers the opening of the drum and an open positionwherein the lid is disposed away from the opening such that the interiorstorage area of the drum is at least partially accessible; a retentionbar mounted to one of the band and the lid; and a rotary latch attachedto the other of the band and the lid, the rotary latch configured toreceive the retention bar when the lid is in the closed position, therotary latch movable between a locked position wherein the rotary latchis retentively engaged with the retention bar and a released positionwherein the rotary latch is movable with respect to the retention bar.2. The drum of claim 1 wherein the band comprises a split ring having apair of ends, a nut and a screw, the nut and the screw threadedlyengaged with each other to connect the ends of the split ring.
 3. Thedrum assembly of claim 1, wherein the lid is movably mounted to the bandvia a hinge.
 4. The drum assembly of claim 1, further comprising agasket attached to an inner surface the lid, the gasket providing a sealbetween the rim of the drum and the lid when the lid is in the closedposition.
 5. The drum of claim 4, wherein the lid includes a pressurerelief valve configured to open when the pressure in the storage area ofthe drum reaches a predetermined level and to close when the pressure inthe storage area of the drum falls below the predetermined level.
 6. Thedrum assembly of claim 1, wherein the rotary latch includes a rotatabletrigger that is moveable between a locked position in which the latch islocked and a released position in which the latch is unlocked.
 7. Thedrum assembly of claim 6, wherein the rotary latch automatically engagesthe retention bar when the cover is moved to the closed position withoutmanual operation of the trigger.
 8. A lid assembly for a drum, the lidassembly comprising; a band; a lid movably attached to the band, the lidbeing movable between a first position and a second position; aretention bar mounted to one of the band and the lid; and a rotary latchattached to the other of the band and the lid, the rotary latchconfigured to receive the retention bar when the lid is in the firstposition, the rotary latch movable between a locked position wherein therotary latch is retentively engaged with the retention bar and areleased position wherein the rotary latch is movable with respect tothe retention bar.